Batch box



June 17, 1930. M; MADSEN 1,764,327

BATCH Box v Filed July l1, 1928 3 Sl'leets-SheeiI 2 /f will 52m/EY AJune 17, 1930.`

my. J'.

M. MADSEN v BATCH BOX Filed July 11, 1928 h .Nimm Y Y Ml 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Maf/ff? Matbe/7 Tita/weg Patented June 17, 1930 UNITED STATES PAT-ENT. OFFICE 1\G.AR'.`LI]\T MADSEN, OF HUNTINGTON PARK, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO MADSEN IRON WORKS, OF HUNTINGTON PARK, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA BATCH BOX Application filed J'uly 11, 1928.

My invention relates to measuring devices, and more particularly to a batch-box for measuring sand, rock, etc. It is in the latter capacity that I shall particularly describe my invention Without in any Way limiting myself to this use.

Sand and rock are usually stored in elevated bins under Which a truck or other vehicle may be driven to be loaded. It is desirable to accurately measure the amount of material discharged int-o the vehicle, this measurement being usually one of volume, although weight measurements may also be used by suitable auxiliary apparatus attached to my invention. This measurementmay be accomplished by discharging' the material into a batch-box Where the volume and Weight may be measured and from whence the material may be discharged into the vehicle. Due to the different capacities of different vehicles, and also to the large range of amounts of material desired by different customers in different orders, it is desirable to have a batch-box of variable volume. Y

It is an object of my invention to provide a batch-box, the volume of which is readily variable.

Another object of my invention is to provide a batch-box having` intake and outlet openings which are of constant size irrespective of the volume of the batch-box.

These objects I accomplish by pivoting one or more ad'ustable side-structures to a air of end-plates, this side-structure being formed of primary and secondary plates pivoted relative to the end-plates these primary and secondary plates being connected by a tertiary plate pivoted to one of these plates.

It is an object of my invention to provide a batch-box having a pair of encl-plates'to which an adjustable side-structure is pivoted.

Another object of my invention is to provide a batch-box which Will not clog or jam to prevent the adjustment thereof, and Which Will entirely fill With material, leaving no vacant spaces therein.

In delivering aggregates for use yin eenerete, it is desirable to lea-:l the mixing Serial No. 291,783.

with volumes of different aggregates in proportion to the mixture desired, so that no proportioning is required after the material reaches the job. Ihave found itV extremely desirable to mount two or more of my batchboxes side by side, these boxes being filled from different bins containing the different aggregates. By varying the volume of each batch-box any desired proportion of aggregate can be discharged into a single vehicle.

In this capacity I have found it desirable tohave the discharge openings of all of the batch-boxes closed by the same door so that the contents thereof may be simultaneously dumped into a 'vehicle when this door is opened.

It is an object of my invention to provide a pluralityv of batch-boxes, eachV connected to a bin containing an aggregate different from aggregates in the other bins, these batch-boxes being adjustable to allow any proportion of the different aggregates to be discharged.

Still a further object of my invention is to provide a plurality of batch-boxes, the discharge opening of these being closed by a single door.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel form of door and locking mechanism therefor.

Referring to the drawings in Which I illustrate Va preferred embodiment of my invention,

Figil is a side view of Amy invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional vievv Ytaken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l, and illustrating my batch-box in such a position as to have a maximum volume. Y

Fig. 3 is a vievv similar to Fig. 2 illustrating my batch-box in such a position as to have a minimum volume.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 1*4: of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an Vend view of the apparatus shown in Fig. l.

Referring particularly to Figs. `1 and 5, I illustrate a frame structure l() Which is supported by any suitablemeans, such as b ars 11 extending u Ward and secured to a bin atrae-ture which is adapted store a ber of different aggregates, such as ditferent grades of rock and sand. Each of the bins in the bin structure is adapted to discharge its aggregate through its individual hopper 13. Two hoppers have been shown for the purpose of illustration but it should be understood that any number ot these hoppers may be utilized.

A batch-box 15 of my invention is adapted to be positioned below each hopper 13, these batch-boxes cooperating to form a measuring device 16 of my invention which is carried by the trame struct-ure 10 in any suitable manner.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, I illustrate two batch-boxes 15` formed by primary, secondary and 'tertiary end-plates 1,7, 18, and 19 respectively. A primary batch-box is .formed between the plates 17 and 13, while a secondary one is formed between the plates 18,' and 19, asV will be apparent hereinafter. These end-plates are hexagonal in form, as best'illustrated inFigs. 2, 3, and 5. The two batch-boxes illustrated in'Fig. 1 are identical with the exception that the primary one between the plates 17 and 13 is of a greater capacity than the secondary one between thel plates 18and 19`and has a duplication ot oertain parts. A detailed description et the latter will therefore suiiic'e for both.

Extending through the end-plates 17, 18, and 19 and secured theretoWare. primary and secondary pairs'ot rods 22' and 23. The rods 22 are horizontally lined andl spaced a distance apart to form an inlet'opening 24, while the rods'23 are similarly disposed lnear the lower endof theiend-'pla'tes and deiine an outlet opening 2 5 therebetween. 'The rods 22and 23 form a means for pivoting primary *andV secondary side-structures 26 and 27 Ato the end-plates. A description of one or" these side-structures will sutiice I,to clearly ei'iplainv myinvention, inasmuch as these side-structures are identical".

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 3, the side-structure 27v comprises a primary side-platei 30, the upper end of which is bent around the rod 22 so that the plate 30 may be pivoted tlnreon.V The ends of the sideplate 30 are bent inward to form extensions 31 which lie immediately adjacent, and preterably in contact with, the end-plates 18 and 19 so that the primary side-plate-30 extends between these plates.

Similarly, a secondary side-plateV 33 is pivoted to each rod'23, the ends of this sideplate being bent outward to form extensions 34 lying adjacent the end-plateslS and 19. The free end of the secondary side-plate 33 isbent to form a ribf35, this rib preventing any excessive `bending of the secondary sideplate 33. 'lt lshould be noted that the free `end of lthe secondary side-plate 33 lies a distance from the free end of the primary sideplate 30.

Adapted to close this space between the primary and secondary side-plates is a tertiary plate 40 which is pivot-ally mounted on a rod 41 carried by the free end of the primary side-plate 30. rThe method of pivotally connecting the plates 30 and 4C may best be understood by reference to Fig. 1 which illustrates the free end of the plate 30 ashaving alternate tongues 42 and grooves 43, these tongues being bent around the rod 41 in a manner to securely hold this rod. Similarly, the upper end of the tertiary sideplate 40 has alternate tongues 44 and grooves V45, the tongues 44 being adapted to extend into the grooves 43 of the lplate 30 and to be bent aroundthe rod 41, while the grooves 45 receive the tongues 42 of the plate 30. The plates 30 andy 4'() are thus pivotally connected together and inter-lock one with the other through their respective tongues'and grooves.

The tree end of the tertiary plate 40 may be pivoted around the rod 41 and maybe made to come into surface contact withv the secondary side-plate 33 in a manner best indicated in Figs. 2 and 3; These two plates are adapted to be clamped 'together by clamping means 47, best illustrated' in Figs. 2 3, and'4. Formed completely through each tertiary side-plate 40 is a channel 48. In tact, the plate 40 is made up of apair of auxiliary plates 49 and 50 which are secured together by a cover-plate 52, this cover-plate being attached to the auxiliary plates 49 and 50`by any suitable means, such as riveting or welding. The channel is formed between'adjacent edges of the auxiliary plates 49 and 50. 'i

Adapted to slide along the channel 4S is a bolt 53 having a square head 53'l adapted to slideinside the coverplate 52 and to bev held from rotation by this plate. The bolt 53 `extends through a'hole 54 in the secondary side-plate 33 and has a washer 55 therearound. A nut 56 lis adapted to be threadedly received by the bolt 53, this nutV being actuatedby handles 57 so' as to clamp the plates 33 and 40 firmly together.

Iii' the nut 56 is' loosened, it should be clear that the rod 41 may swing around the axis of the rod 22, thus causing theplates 33 and 40 to slide relative to each other, and thus moving the side-structure 27 from' a positionV shown in Fig. 2 into a position shown in Fig. 3, during which movement the volume of a batch-chamber 60 formed between the two side-structures 26 and 27 decreases from a maximum to a minimum. Any intermediate volume of the batch-chamber 60 may be secured by clamping the side structures 26 and 27 in positions intermediate those shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

I n order to indicate to the operator the exact volume of the batch-chamber at all times, I provide a suitable indicia on the end-plates 17 and 19 for indicating the volume of this chamber. This indicia is best shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 5 and comprises a series of holes 62 drilled through the endpla-te concentric with the axis of the rod 22. These holes are so calibrated that they read in units of cubical content.

The operator places a pin through the desired hole in the series of holes utilized by the primary side-structure 26, and places a similar pin through a corresponding hole of the series used by the secondary sidestructure 27. The nuts 56 are loosened and the primary side-plates 30 are swung outward around the rods 22 until they contact their respective pins, it being understood that these pins are of suiiicient length to exw tend through the end-plate 19 and into the path of the side-plates 30. The nuts 56 are then tightened.

Pivoted on the ends of the rod 23 of the side-structure 27 is a door 70 of my invention. It should be clear from a reference to Fig. 1 that this door extends across both batch-boxes 15, and when in a closed position is adapted to lie immediately adjacent both rods 23 so as to prevent any escape of material from the batch-chamber 60. Reinforcing ribs 71 extend longitudinally across the door 70, this door being normally counterbalanced by a weight 72 so that when no material is in the batch-chamber 60, the door will freely pivot about the rod 23.

As best shown in Fig. 5, the door has end-plates 73 to which a pivot-structure 74 is bolted. A pin 75 is carried by this structure and is journalled in a connecting-rod 7 3a. One pivot-structure and attached Connecting-rod is positioned on each end of the measuring device 16 of my invention.

Journalled in the frame-structure 10 is a locking-shaft 77, at each end of which is mounted a crank member 78. This member may be in the form of a simple crank or in the form of a disc, as illustrated in'Fig. 5, and carries a pin 79 which is journalled in the upper end of the connecting-rod 73a. The upper end of this connecting-rod is bent, as best illustrated in Fig. 5, and is of such a length that the door 70 is moved into closed position relative to the outlet opening 25 when the axes of the pins 75 and 79 are in alignment with the axis of the locking-shaft 77 at which time the connecting rod 7 3a bears against the locking-shaft 77 in a manner to prevent a further rotation of the crank member 78. This crank member may be conveniently turned. by means of a operable handle 8O extending 70 will move from a closed into an open position, this open position being indicated by dotted lines 82 of this figure. Such a movement is comparatively easy, and it should be clear that when the door 70 is in a closed position the connecting-rod 7 3u and the crank member 78 will securely hold this door in this position, these members c0- operating to form a self-locking door-mechau nism 85. Vhen, however, it is desired to dump the contents or" the batch-chamber 60, it is only necessary to move the handle 8O a very slight distance so that the axes of the pins 75 and 79 are disaligned with the axis of the locking-shaft 77 at which time the weight of the material in the batch-chamber forces the door into open position.

It is an important feature of my invention that the size of the inlet and outlet openings is always constant irrespective of the particular volume to which the batch-box has been set. Furthermore, there is no danger of any material becoming clogged in the batch-chamber. Y

I prefer to make one of the batch-boxes 15 larger than the other, the larger batchbox being used to proportion the coarse aggregate, such as rock, while the smaller batch-box is used to proportion the sand. Inasmuch as these batch-boxes are individually adjustable, it is possible to obtain any proportion between the sand and rock. Both the sand and Vrock will simultaneously dump when the crank member 78 on either end of the locking-shaft 77 is operated.

Vhile I have described my inventionA as vhaving side-structures 26 and 27 which are both adjustable, it should be understood that my invention is not limited to the dual use of such structures, inasmuch as a stationary side-structure might be substituted for one and the other side-structure used for vary ing the volume of the batch-chamber 60.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a batch-box, the combination of: a pair of end members; a primary side-structure extending between said endmembers; and a secondary side-structure comprising vertically adjacent plates extending between said end members with their respective outer edges pivotally secured to said side members,

the free inner edges of said plates. being hingedly united.

2. In a batch-box, the combination of: a pair of end members; a primary side-structure extendingv between said end members; primary and secondary rods extending between said end members; primary and secondary side-pl'ates pivotally mounted on said rods; and a tertiary plate pivoted to said primary side-plate and extending adjacent said secondary side-plate.

3. In a batchebox, the combination of: a pair of end members; a primary side-structure extending between said end members;

primary and secondary rods extending between said end members; primary and secondary side-plates pivotally mounted on said rods; a tertiary plate pivoted to said primary side-plate and extending adjacent said secondary side-plate; and means for clamping said tertiary plate to said secondary side-plate.

4. A combination as defined in claim 8 including indicia for indicating the volume of said batch-box.

5. A combination as defined in claim 3 including holes in one of said side-plates adapted to receive a pin against which one of said plates may bear prior to tightening said clamping means, said holes comprising indicia for indicating the cnbical content of said batch-box.

6. In av batch-box, the combination of: a pair of end members; a primary side-structure extending between said end members; primary and secondary rods extending between said end members; primary and secondary side-plates pivotally mounted on said rods; a tertiary plate pivoted to said primary side-plate and extending adjacent said secondary side-plate, said tertiary plate having a channel therein; a bolt adapted to slide along said channel and extend through said secondary side-plate; and a nut threaded on said bolt to clamp said tertiary plate and said secondary side-plate together.

7. A combination as defined in claim 6 in which said channel is covered by a cover plate. v

8. A combination as defined in claim 2 in which said rods are spaced from said primary side-structure to form inlet and outlet openings of said batch-box, and including a door extending across said outlet opening when in a closed position. Y

9. A combination as defined in claim 2 in which said rods are spaced from said primary side-structure to form inlet and outlet openings of said batch-box, and including a door pivoted to said secondary rod.

10. A combination as defined in claim 2 in which said rods are spaced :from said primary side-structure to form inlet and outlet openings of said batch-box, and including a door pivoted to said secondary rod and also including` self-locking means for said door to hold it in closing relationship with said outlet opening.

11. A combination as defined in claim 1 in which said primary side-structure is similar in structure to said secondary side-structures so that said side-structures cooperate to determine the volume of said batchnbox.

12. In a batch-box structure, the combination of primary, secondary and tertiary endplates; adjustable side-piates extending` between said end-plates to form a primary batch chamber between said primary and Vsaid seeondarr end-plates, and cooperating to form a secondary batch-chamber between said secondary and tertiary end-plates, said side-plates being adjustable to vary the volume of said batch-chambers; and a door eX- tending across the outlet openings of both of said batch-chambers' to simultaneously vcontrol the discharge therefrom.

13. A combination as defined in claim 1 in which one of said plates is formed of two sections extensibly united.

14. A combination as defined in claim 1 in which one of said plates is 'formed'of two extensibly united sections and is provided with means for securing said sections together so as to prevent movement of 4said side structure.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 6th day of July, 1928.

MARTIN MADSEN. 

